The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Commissioners of Port District 2 on Tuesday approved a resolution to operate County Line Park without financing from Wahkiakum County.

The county owns the park site and contracted with Port 2 to manage it in 2016. The county appropriated $3,500 to the port to help cover operational costs as the port district made improvements to the grounds.

When county commissioners learned the port had profitably operated the park this year, they dropped the funding for 2017.

When port counsel Tim Hanigan presented a resolution to amend the funding agreement at the port commission meeting, port commissioners were a bit surprised and had to work through the issue.

In response to a question from commission Chair Lori Scott, Hanigan said the change would be permanent, according to wording of the resolution.

"I would prefer it just one year," Scott said.

Commissioner Brian O'Connor asked if the port could seek county funding in the future if there were a major capital project or storm damage. Hanigan responded that the port could approach the county board with a request.

County Commissioner Mike Backman was present at the meeting and explained the county board's intention.

"We put in the money in the beginning to help get it fixed up," Backman said. "The goal was to get it self sustaining."

Port Commissioners O'Connor and Lee Tischer said they were satisfied with the change.

"I am comfortable with it," O'Connor said.

"I think it would be okay, and even if we were struggling, we could go back and ask for funding," Tischer said.

The board voted 3-0 to approve the resolution and funding change.